J.P. Crawford's excellence extends beyond the baseball field. Throughout his time in Seattle, he has been a pillar in the community, working directly to build programs that champion youth baseball and softball access, while also supporting numerous Mariners' initiatives through generous donations and volunteer appearances.
Since 2017, J.P. has served on the board of the Baseball Generations Foundation (BBG). Through generous personal contributions and volunteering at foundation camps and showcase events, J.P. has led the way in BBG¡¯s mission to make baseball accessible to all youth. Since 2020, the foundation has served 500 players annually by providing the resources, equipment and opportunities required to participate at every level of competition. Notably, the foundation has had 28 player alumni drafted by MLB teams, with an additional 132 players receiving Division I scholarships.
In 2020, J.P. doubled down on his work supporting baseball accessibility, teaming up with the Mariners as a founding player in the creation of the Hometown Nine fellowship program. As a founding player, J.P. led discussions with Mariners leadership about the need for a club-sponsored program that would support underserved youth in the Seattle area, providing them with mentorship opportunities and resources to compete in baseball and softball at the highest level. In 2024, the Hometown Nine is welcoming its fifth cohort and will support directly a total of 43 student athletes, with the program recently producing its first Division I softball commitment.
J.P. has also supported consistently numerous charity initiatives in the Seattle community, highlighted by his work with Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs' Rizzs Toys 4 Kids Foundation. J.P. has volunteered annually to distribute gifts to children at Yesler Community Center during the holidays, while also promoting and attending the annual Toys 4 Kids charity gala where he has made generous donations repeatedly. In 2023, Toys 4 Kids surpassed a milestone $1 million raised at its annual charity gala, enabling the organization to serve more than 50,000 kids in the state of Washington through its seven programs aimed at providing assistance to children and families in need.
J.P. and his wife Kathleen lead the work done by Mariners families in the Seattle Angels program, serving 20-plus girls in foster care each season. Through the program coordinated by J.P. and Kathleen, Mariners families host a group of girls in a suite during a game at T-Mobile Park, where each girl is connected with a Mariners family. After getting to know the girls, each Mariners family goes back-to-school shopping for clothes and supplies that reflect the style and preferences of each individual student.
In addition to his work directly with these programs, J.P. has lent his support to numerous organizations to help raise funds and awareness, some of which include the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV), Team Okanogan Animal Rescue, The Players Alliance, Friends of Baseball Nike RBI and more.
Throughout the Pacific Northwest, J.P. is revered as the heart and soul of the Mariners organization. His lead-by-example mentality has consistently pushed those around him to be better, both on the diamond and in the community. With his relentless work to further youth baseball and softball equity, J.P. has opened doors for young athletes across the West Coast, leaving a legacy that will benefit generations of baseball players behind him.